Overlooked Hitchcock Flicks

THIS WEEK'S CATEGORY IS:Overlooked Alfred Hitchcock Filmsby Kyle DarbysonAlfred Hitchcock is widely known as the "Master of Suspense" for a reason: He ratchets up the tension in his movies until it is nearly intolerable; which is perfect if that is your thing, but not so good if you are prone to ulcers or panic attacks. With titles like Psycho and Rear Window, his body of work reads like a pretentious cinephile's dream DVD collection. But despite these cinematic classics, Sir Alfred's trademark rotund silhouette has appeared at the beginning of more than 65 other lesser-known films. Here are five such overlooked Hitchcock classics.

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Foreign Correspondent (1940)Running time: 2:00

Don't have this movie? Click here to have it deliveredJoel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert MarshallThe days just before the start of World War II were undoubtedly extremely suspenseful for the citizens of England, what with the threat of annihilation hanging over their heads and all. So it makes sense that this tense environment would be fertile ground for a Hitchcock movie. In Foreign Correspondent a hot shot American reporter in London uncovers a fairly significant spy ring and has to break the story before the bad guys break his neck. Any questions as to where this film's political loyalties lie can be answered by looking at the German cut of the film: It is almost 30 minutes shorter than reels shown in any other country.Why you should rent it:The last few scenes of this taut thriller were filmed in London just five days before the aerial bombardments of the Battle of Britain began in July 1940. Cutting it a bit close?Get it here

Sabotage (1936)Running time: 1:16

Don't have this movie? Click here to have it deliveredSylvia Sidney, Desmond Tester, Oskar HomolkaA ticking time bomb makes for a suspenseful scene in even the most inept director's hands; so when Hitchcock films a scene with one in it, you know it will be good. This black and white movie — based on the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad — is filled with riveting scenes beyond the aforementioned bomb scare. Sabotage tells the story of a retired saboteur who is lured out of retirement for one last job. The problem is that he doesn't know Scotland Yard is hot on his tail, while his wife doesn't know he is a bomb-making anarchist. That, my friends, is a potentially explosive situation (pun fully intended).Why you should rent it:The horribly prophetic scene of a bombing onboard a London city bus takes on a whole new relevance in light of the events of July 2005.Get it here

Lifeboat(1944)Running time: 1:36

Don't have this movie? Click here to have it deliveredTallulah Bankhead, Mary Anderson, William BendixWhat's worse than being aboard a ship that is torpedoed by a German U-boat? Being trapped on a lifeboat with eight other survivors, including one of the Nazis that bombed you! Talk about awkward. So goes this lesser-known gem from Hitchcock's stable of masterpieces. Based on a story from John Steinbeck (he wrote many of the books you were supposed to read in high school), the desperate, claustrophobic setting of Lifeboat provides the perfect situation for Hitchcock to work his suspenseful mastery.Why you should rent it:It is like an early bit of reality TV, with an assortment of characters bound not to get along, including a businessman, a communist and a nurse.Get it here

I Confess(1953)Running time: 1:35

Don't have this movie? Click here to have it deliveredKarl Madden, Anne Baxter, Montgomery CliftWhen a man kills another man and confesses to a priest, the priest is put in a rather difficult situation. Especially when the police start to suspect he is the murderer. This is a fascinating film that plays on one of Alfred's favorite themes: an innocent man accused of murder. And though that topic is suspenseful enough, in Hitchcock's masterful hands, it gets downright unbearable, as the repentant man plays on the priest's faith in a desperate attempt to avoid justice. Kinda like O.J.Why you should rent it:It is filled with all the hallmarks of a great Hitchcock film, including tracking shots, POV shots and a cameo by Alfred himself.Get it here

The 39 Steps(1935)Running time: 1:26

Don't have this movie? Click here to have it deliveredRobert Donat, Madeleine Carol, Lucie MannheimA Canuck on vacation in London meets a hottie who turns out to be a spy. He takes her home to his flat (which is good) but at some point during the night she is murdered (bad). He then has to flee not only the bobbies who think he killed the girl, but also the spies who actually did. Hitchcock keeps the action running non-stop, and subtly manages to blend in some comedy to produce a flawless, exciting and wholly entertaining picture. It still somehow holds up, despite the fact it was made 70 years ago!Why you should rent it:Alfred Hitchcock was a demanding director who had a fanatical desire for realism. Madeleine Carol can attest, as she bore scars caused by wearing handcuffs during filming for years afterwards.Get it here